Claridge wins OMB fight over Lisgar condos

An Ottawa developer has won the right to build a 16-storey condominium tower on Lisgar Street, just west of O’Connor Street, city staff say.

287 Lisgar St. (Google Street View image)

In a report being tabled at next Monday’s planning and environment committee meeting, staff say the Ontario Municipal Board overruled a decision by Ottawa city council to reject Claridge Homes’ rezoning request in July 2009.

City staff had recommended council turn down the application on the grounds that the zoning in the Centretown area was “in a state of flux, with an inconsistent or contradictory planning policy and regulatory environment,” according to the report.

However, the OMB said the proposed development appropriately implemented provincial intensification policies and that Claridge had addressed the relevant issues in the community design plan.

City staff say the OMB noted there are already 15 and 17-storey buildings in the area, at Kent and Lisgar streets, and that the board “was satisfied that the proposed building was an improvement in design from what had been historically constructed in this area.”

Claridge is currently constructed two 27-storey condominium buildings several blocks over at Lisgar and Metcalfe streets.